Garcia is not in running for commission

Employee of law firm pulled name Thursday

Local resident Juan Garcia III refuted a report Friday that he is a
finalist for the top job at the Texas Lottery.

An Associated Press report published in Friday's Caller-Times
mentioned Garcia as one of nine finalists to be interviewed for the
executive director position, but Garcia said he has turned down the
opportunity.

"While I was recently invited to interview for the position, I have
requested that the commission not consider me for the job," he wrote in
an e-mail to the newspaper. "I will not be taking part in the selection
process, and my family and I have no intention of leaving Corpus
Christi."

The Texas Lottery Commission confirmed that Garcia had been on the
list of candidates and that he had withdrawn his name from
consideration on Thursday.

This is not the first time Garcia has been recruited for a statewide
position that he ultimately decided against.

Earlier this year, a group circulated his name and posted a Web site
touting him as a potential candidate for U.S. Senate. After weeks of
speculation, Garcia said he would not run.

Garcia, who works for a local law firm, is a graduate of Harvard
University and a former Navy flight instructor.

He put his legal career on hold to join the Navy and is awaiting
admittance to the State Bar of Texas.

In an interview, Garcia said he still is interested in public
service and did not rule out a run for local political office.

"If the right opportunity came down the road, I'd like to serve," he
said.